“There were ten of them walking in one after the other,” he said. “It’s terrible, they’ve got children, wives, houses and everything to sort out.

“It’s quite a loss for us too because they’d come up here after work and spend between £100 and £250, so it will have an impact.”

While Wendy Timewell, owner of the Hotel Wroxham, added: “It was a massive shock for us, it’s been a very successful business and lots of people come and stay at the hotel. It’s just a great shame, as lots of the workers come in here too - it’s terrible.”

Melvyn Simms, 78, said the news was a blow to the area due to its history in boat building.

Melvyn Simms at Hoveton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

He said: “I grew up in Horning where the boats for the Oxford/Cambridge boat race used to be built, and my father used to work for Bertrams, so this is a blow.”

Fran Whymark, councillor for Wroxham on Broadland District Council, said: “I think it’s a real shame, it’s going to knock the area massively.

“It will have a massive impact on not just those who have lost their jobs, but the economy locally. I don’t think it can be over-estimated the impact it will have, it’s quite a shock for me.

“But I’m genuinely so sorry for these people, it’s been such a part of local life for as long as I can remember.”